Hinged supported motor wrench



May 24, 1949.

F. E. NIEDERHISER HINGED SUPPORTED MOTOR-*WRENCH Filed April 5,

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Patented May 24, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HINGED SUPPORTED MOTOR WRENCH Floyd E. Niederhiser, Cleveland, Ohio Application April 5, 1946', Serial No. 659,928

5 Claims. 1

'Ihis invention relates to a power operated mechanism for closing and opening work holding jaws which are adapted to grip or hold work pieces while work is done on the work pieces.

The present invention has utility for operating work gripping jaws on lathe chucks, threaded millers, vises, and milling machines generally regardless of their size, because of its simplicity of operation, but it has additional advantage in connection with large machines adapted for gripping large and heavy work pieces, for in these large machines it has been found that considerable time is required and great dilculty encountered for a single workman to close the jaws onto the work piece with the necessary gripping action, and to open the work jaws from the work piece, with the operator using a wrench of suitable leverage.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a power means to open and close the jaws of a work holding device quickly, conveniently and safely.

Another object of my invention is to provide an extremely simplified mounting for a power driven device to operate the jaws of a work holding device.

A further object of my invention is to provide a mechanism for operating the jaws of a work holding device, which mechanism .can be provided as an attachment to machine tools, or which may be built into machine tools as an integral part thereof.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a safety feature in connection with a mechanism to operate the jaws of a work holding device, by which it is rendered impossible for the operator to start the mechanism when the mechanism is in driving contact with the work holding device, and also to prevent the application of the mechanism to the work holding device while the work holding device is in motion.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a power wrench to operate the work holding jaws of a rotary lathe chuck, the power wrench mechanism being of a unitary non-extensible construction and being bodily movable in an arcuate path about a center of rotation in such a manner that the lathe chuck may remain stationary when the power wrench is brought into and out of engagement therewith.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of my invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

'Ihe single figure of the drawing illustrates the preferred embodiment of my invention as applied to a rotary lathe chuck, and illustrates a fragmentary portion of a lathe on which the device is mounted.

With reference to the drawing, I illustrate the preferred embodiment of my invention as used in -connection with a rotatable lathe chuck I5. The

section of a lathe chuck I5 and a portion of a lathe 3l are illustrated for the purpose of illustrating the mode of operation of this preferred embodiment, and not with the intention of limiting the use of my imp-roved power wrench to any one type of machine.

In the illustration, the reference character IU illustrates generally my power wrench which includes a motor I I, a shaft housing I2, and a shaft I3 extending from the motor II through the used to operate the work engaging jaws of the lathe chuck I5.. The pinion driving member I6 has a square socket 4I! into which the engaging end III may be inserted. Of course, if any other type of jaw actuating device is employed, the

; shaft I3 may be equipped to engage therewith.

My improved power wrench is a unitary structure of the motor I I and the shaft I3. These parts are not extensible in relation to one another. Therefore, the entire unit is moved in relation to v. the member I6 in order to engage and disengage the shaft end I4 and the member I6. Therefore, I have provided means to pivotally mount the power wrench I0 in order to provide the relative movement. This mounting comprises a bracket I'I of `cast or fabricated construction which may be secured to the motor at one end thereof by means of suitable bolts I9, and may be pivotally mounted at the other end thereof by the provision of a collar 35 adapted to pivot about a pivot pin I8. The pivot pin I8 may be secured to the lathe 3T in any suitable manner.

Because the power wrench I0 is pivotally mounted, the tendency will be for gravitational pull to force the engaging end I4 towards the member I6 at all times. Therefore, I have provided a counterbalance 2l to offset this tendency. This counterbalance 2l comprises a housing 36 enclosing a spring 28. A bumper 26 is provided on the under side of the bracket I'I. A rider plate 29 is positioned between the spring 28 and the bumper 26 to provide a smooth surface against which the bumper 26 may contact. A second rider plate 3u is provided at the lower end of the spring. An adjustment screw 3| is provided to extend through the botto mof the housing 36 and push against the rider plate 3l). Thus, the spring may be compressed to any desired degree in order to offset the gravitational pull tending to move the power wrench Il! into engagement with the chuck l5. The counterbalance 21 may be secured to the lathe 3'I in any suitable manner, and is illustrated as being welded in place. Of course, any other convenient type of counterbalancing device may be employed with equal results.

In order to operate my improved power wrench I0, I have provided for a control handle 32 to operate a reversing switch 33, and also to attach mechanically to a control arm 3G. This structure is illustrated diagrammatically in the drawing, because any suitable type of control handle may be employed, and may be positioned in any suitable manner to make the control handle 32 accessible to the operator. In operation, the control handle 32 may be rotated to the right or to the left to operate the reversing switch 33 and cause the motor II to rotate in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction as desired, or it may be moved to shut off the power and stop the rotation of the motor II. Also, the handle 32 may be pushed upwardly or pulled downwardly to move the entire power wrench about the pivot point I8 to bring the engaging end I4 into or out ofengagement with the socket d'0 of the cam driving element I6.

It is of course understood, that the power means used to rotate the chuck l must be turned oif while.k the power wrench is in engagement with the chuck I5, and also, the wrench Ill must not be brought toward the chuck I5 while the chuck is in motion. In order to provide a safety device which will prevent accidental starting of the chuck I5 while the power wrench is in engagement therewith, and also to prevent the power wrench from being lowered toward the chuck while the chuck is in motion, I have provided a safety lock to operate in conjunction with the lathe power control. This safety device is illustrated diagrammatically to better illustrate the principle of operation. An attachment arm 2Q is secured to the lower side of the bracket I1. A link 2I is pivotally secured to the attachment arm 20 at one Yend thereof and is adapted to operate a pin 22 pivetally connected to the opposite end thereof. A collar 23 is secured to the lathe 31 in any suitable manner and is used to guide the pin 22 in a straight endwise motion. A grooved slide member 2li is adapted to be engaged by the pin 22. This grooved slide 2Q is mechanically connected to the lathe control arm of a control box 25 as illustrated by the dot-dash line extending therebetween. Any suitable method of mechanical attachment therebetween in order to cause the lathe control arm and the grooved slide 24 to operate as a unit may be employed. Thus, when the control arm of thevbox 25 is in the off position, the groove of the slide 24 is in position to receive the end of the pin 22. Therefore, the power wrench may pivot about the point I8 and move downwardly to engage the end I4 with the socket 40. However, if the control arm or the box 25 is in any position other than neutral, the groove will be shifted to a position which will not admit the pin, and the power wrench Iii cannot be moved downwardly to engage therewith. Likewise, once the pin 22 is in engagement with the groove of the slide 2li, and the end I4 in engagement with the socket M, the control arm of the box 25 cannot be moved accidentally to cause the chuck I5 to rotate. Thus, my improved power wrench may be used with complete Safety and without fear of mechanical damage due to accidental engagement of the power Wrench with the moving chuck, or an accidental applying of power to the chuck I5 while the wrench is in engagement therewith.

There are many times when it is desirable to have the power wrench I5] moved out of the way for the purpose of repairing the machine with which it is cooperating, or for other purposes. Therefore, my improved device is able to swing about the pivot pin I8 to remove the power wrench to an out of the way position. In order to facilitate this movement, I have provided a stop 38 on the lathe 31 which may be employed to contact a portion of the bracket I1. Thus, the wrench I0 may be swung about the pivot I8 until the bracket I1 engages the stop 3B. Thereafter, the wrench will rest in place upon the stop 38 and be conveniently out of the way until again required. The lathe 31 may be used in the conventional ordinary manner during the time the wrench I0 is thus moved out of the way, and may be serviced without the operator being hampered by additional machinery in his way.

Although it is possible to use my improved wrench with the pivot pin I8 placed in any convenient position to bring the end I4 into engagement with the socket 4l), by far the best and most desirable results are obtained if the pivot pin I3 is located to cause the minimum amount of arcuate movement of the shaft I3 as the end It thereof engages with the socket d'0. Thus, I have found it highly desirable to locate the pivot pin I8 on a plane that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shaft I3 and tangent to the surface of the chuck I5 at the engaging surface. That is, the plane should extend to the region of contact between the end I4 and the socket 136. In applications not employing a rotatable member, the plane may be defined as passing through any portion of the region of contact and may preferably pass along the upper surface of the driven member. However, the axis of rotation of the shaft I3 and the plane extending to the center of the pivot pin I8 should always be maintained in substantially perpendicular relationship.

Also, it is desirable to provide a bracket arm I1 of as long a length as practical for use with the particular machine with which the wrench is cooperating. The longer the bracket I1 that is provided, of course, the smaller will be the arcuate path of the engaging end Ill.

By the provision of the pivot pin I8 being located as described, and by the provision of the relatively long bracket arm I1, I have found that the amount of arcuate movement of the end I4 in relation to the socket 4B, is reduced to a minimum. Therefore, I have provided for a clearance of t between the end III and the socket 40 to allow the small amount of movement. The clearance provided between the end I4 and the socket 60 will therefore permit the end I4 to enter into the socket 4B without rotating the chuck I5. Thus, my improved power wrench may be employed even with machines in which the chuck l5 is securely locked in position when the driving motor is turned off. Also, my improved power wrench may be employed with actuating members which are permanently located and cannot be moved. It is my discovery of the location of the pivot pin i8 in relation to the axis of rotation of the shaft i3 that makes my improved power wrench operative and entirely satisfactory.

As shown in the illustration, I have positioned the power wrench in a tilted position about five degrees to the right of the perpendicular. However, the illustrated ve degrees is not critical, and in some instances I have placed the power wrench at an angle as high as fifteen degrees or more. Accordingly, the pivot pin I8 is dropped below the horizontal ve degrees in order to keep and the axis of rotation at ninety degrees. The

power wrench lll could be moved to any convenient position either to the right or to the left of the perpendicular and will be found to operate entirely satisfactory so long as the position of the pivot pin IB is adjusted accordingly. By the same token, the pivot pin i8 may be located in any convenient position upon the machine with which it is to cooperate, and the power wrench l0 may be positioned to maintain the angular relationship described.

My improved mechanism has been found to require considerably less maintenance and installation cost than other power wrenches known to the art today, because of the extreme simplicity of construction and operation. The entire device is self contained and of a construction having practically no complicated parts to require constant attention and maintenance.

Although I have described my invention in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood. that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. Power means for operating the actuating member of a rotatable chuck of a machine tool, said power means comprising, a motor having a shaft adapted to engage said actuating member upon relative movement therebetween, said work holding chuck being rotatable about a first axis of rotation, said power means being mounted on a bracket pivotal about a second axis of rotation for arcuate swinging movement, said first and second axes of rotation being separated a distance apart and extending parallel to one another, said actuating member and said motor and shaft being rotatable about a third axis, said third axis being perpendicular to a tangential plane extending from said second axis of rotation through the area of engagement between the actuating member and the shaft.

2. In a work holding device having work engaging jaws and a jaw actuating element for operating the work engaging jaws to engage and disengage a work piece, the provision of a power means to actuate said jaw actuating element, said power means comprising a driving means, a shaft member driven by said means, said shaft member having engaging surfaces to slidably engage with and disengage from driving relationship with said jaw actuating element upon relative movement between said shaft member and said jaw actuating element, pivotal mounting means to provide relative movement of the driving means and shaft relative to said jaw actuating element, said pivotal mounting means comprising a bracket arm fixedly secured to the power means at one end thereof and pivotally mounted at the other end thereof, said pivotal mounting serving to pivot the said power means in an arcuate path about the axis of the pivot, said axis of the pivot lying on a plane passing through the area of contact between the shaft engaging surfaces and the jaw actuating element, said plane being substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of said shaft member.

3. A power wrench for operating the jaw actuating element of ba lathe chuck comprising, a driving motor, a shaft driven by said motor, said shaft member having engaging surfaces to slidably engage with and disengage from driving relationship with said jaw actuating element by axial movement of said shaft relative to said jaw actuating element, a bracket arm having a support end and a pivot end, said motor and shaft being flxedly supported on said support end, said pivot end being pivotally mounted on a base in position to swing said shaft into and out of engagement with said jaw actuating element, counter balance means to yieldingly resist pivotal swinging movement of the bracket arm to move said shaft into engagement with the jaw actuating element, and safety lock means adapted to lock said bracket against swinging movement of the bracket arm to move said shaft into engagement with the jaw actuating element when the lathe is in operation.

In a work holding device having work engaging jaws and a jaw actuating element for operating the work engaging jaws to engage and disengage a work piece, the provision of a power means to actuate said jaw actuating element, said power means comprising a driving motor, a shaft member driven by said motor, said shaft member having engaging surfaces to slidably engage with and disengage from driving relationship with said jaw actuating element upon relative movement between said shaft member and said jaw actuating element, and pivotal mounting means including a bracket arm having a support end and a pivot end, means xedly mounting said motor and shaft on the said support end of the bracket, said pivot being adapted to be pivotally mounted on a base a distance from said jaw actuating element, said bracket being pivotal on said base to swing saidmotor and shaft through an arcuate path during periods of use with the work holding device and to an out-of-the-way position during periods when not in use.

5. A power wrench for operating the jaw actuating elements of a work holding device comprising, a driving motor, a shaft member driven by said motor, said shaft member having engaging surfaces to slidably engage with and disengage from driving relationship with said jaw actuating elements by relative axial movement with respect to said jaw actuating elements, a bracket arm having a support end and a pivot end, said pivot end. having a pivot axis, said shaft member being fixeclly carried on said support end, said pivot end being adapted to be pivotally mounted on a base a distance from said jaw actuating elements, said shaft member thereby being swingable in an arcuate path about said pivot end as an axis.

FLOYD E. NIEDERHISER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,449,828 Marmin et al. Mar. 27, 1923 1,695,493 Holmes Dec. 18, 1928 1,763,552 Cook June 10, 1930 1,874,888 Burrell Aug. 30, 1932 2,180,488 Hamersveld Nov. 21, 1939 2,219,851 Sloan et al. Oct. 29, 1940 2,249,240 Groene et al July 15, 1941 2,358,049 Bogart Sept. 12, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 472,015 Great Britain Sept. 15, 1937 

